After a flurry of re-signings yesterday, including Hamilton receiver Luke Tasker, the free agent market is constantly in flux – and things will continue to change once the market opens.

“We have a plan and guys that we’ve identified but there’s a lot of different scenarios that could take place,” Austin said. “It’s a pretty fluid situation but we have a lot of ‘what if’ scenarios.”

The 30-year-old Laurent, who played in 12 games in 2017 making 13 tackles and registering four sacks but has been a perennial all-star with a Canadian passport, will likely be sought after by several days. 3DowNation’s Justin Dunk believes that both Montreal and Ottawa could be in the mix.

If Laurent goes elsewhere, the Ticats could look to pick up a starting Canadian at another position. Running back Jerome Messam, who was with general manager Eric Tillman in Edmonton, could be a fit given that Hamilton has two national backs already on the roster.

Other areas the Ticats could look to address in free agency include strong-side linebacker – B.C.’s Chandler Fenner is the big name available – and defensive back, where there a number of talented players including T.J. Heath, Tommie Campbell and Akwasi Owusu-Ansah. If the Ticats decide to dip into the kicker market – American Kenny Allen remains largely unproven – Canadian Lirim Hajrullahu and another ex-Ticat, Brett Maher, are expected to be available.

Tune into 3DowNation’s live blog starting at 11 a.m. for all the up-to-the-minute CFL free agency news. Should be an interesting day.

8 Comments on Laurent to hit free agency, Ticats still talking with Fantuz

Lirim Hajrullahu is a very good kicker and he’s a Canuck to boot. He pulled double duty for the Argos last year. I would have no problem bringing him in if the money is right but I think he could draw interest from a few clubs when FA opens up.

Who knows how Castillo’s recovery goes. I think someone in the media, maybe the guys at TSN, mentioned he could miss half of this upcoming season due to the injury he sustained in BC. It’s a long recovery process.

Kenny Allen filled in admirably as well but competition never hurts. You can’t just hand him the job on a silver platter.

Marc that’s a good question about Fantuz. Though the truth of it is… Nobody Cares. Fantuz is going to be looking for way more money than he’s worth at this point in his career. Injuries have plagued him these past 2 years. Then when Hamilton paid him his playing salary but put him on the front office instead of being on the IR. That way Fantuz could actually practise with the team. It’s was a load of bullfrog liquid fly crap.
So lets let Austin hold his ground and Fantuz will soon learn he is not going to get the big pay day anymore.

Btb – Andy played all but one or two regular season games in 2016 until he tore his ACL which of course limited his playing time last year. I highly doubt that he’s looking for the kind of payday that he got when he first joined the Ticats in 2012. I’d like to see him return – possibly as a player/coach. His knowledge and high football IQ would be invaluable to JJ.